Tom Hanks announced on the Letterman show last night that he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

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TUESDAY, October 8, 2013 — Academy Award winning actor Tom Hanks dropped an unexpected announcement yesterday when he revealed on the "Late Show with David Letterman" that he has type 2 diabetes. The 56-year-old said he has been dealing with high blood sugar for more than two decades, and was recently given the news.

"I went to the doctor and he said 'You know those high blood sugar numbers you've been dealing with since you were 36? Well, you've graduated,” Hanks told David Letterman. “You've got type 2 diabetes, young man.”

Type 2 diabetes is a disease characterized by high blood sugar levels and an inability for your body to regulate those levels. But even though diabetes can be deadly, there’s no reason that you, Tom Hanks or anyone else with diabetes can’t live a normal, healthy life – as long as you know what you’re dealing with. Here are six things you need to know about type 2 diabetes:

Many factors can cause diabetes – More than 80 percent of people with diabetes are overweight or obese, but there are many risk factors for diabetes other than weight. Diabetes carries a genetic risk as well, and there are several other surprising risk factors for diabetes, such as low vitamin D levels, sleep apnea or certain medications.

Diabetes is an epidemic -- Experts say that by 2030, 552 million people worldwide will be living with the condition, compared to 366 million today.

You’re not alone – Diabetes affects more than 25 million adults and children or 8.3 percent of the U.S. population. Many support groups exist that can help you learn to live with and manage the disease.

Diabetes is treatable – Just because you have diabetes, doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll have to inject insulin. Drugs such as metformin can help regulate your blood sugar without you ever having to touch a needle.

Diabetes is manageable – Some people with type 2 diabetes don’t need any drugs at all. Diet and exercise can be a great way to keep your diabetes in line – and maybe even reverse it!

Diabetes is preventable – The most important thing to remember is that just because you may have several risk factors for diabetes does not mean you will definitely get it. Diabetes can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

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